Like the other parts of the body, your feet are an equally essential body part whose worth you realise everyday in your life. Think of the times you had a foot injury and you had to rest at home. Wasn’t it difficult to move even as near as to the corner of the room when your foot was injured? To tell the truth, your legs bear the brunt for almost the entire day. From the morning till the time you go to sleep, you are continuously working – if it’s physically, your feet suffer major consequences of overly active life in the long run. For most of the people, foot problems are ignored unless they begin affecting every part of their lives and visiting podiatrists in Mandurah becomes the best solution.
Hence, in this blog, we shall highlight some of the most common foot problems that your podiatrist deserves to know first rather than ignoring till they get worse.
Common Foot Problems
1. Flat foot: Flat foot, as the name suggests, is when the foot touches the ground completely while standing since there is an absence of arch in the middle of the foot or it is very low. A human foot comprises 33 joints holding 26 bones together. In the presence of an arch, there is a gap underneath the inner portion of the foot when the person is standing. As a consequence, the arch is raised slightly off the ground. The arch in a human foot helps in maintaining balance in every step, evenly distributes the body weight across the feet and have the ability to adapt to stress on various surfaces. People with flat feet may roll their feet inwards while walking or standing. The usual symptom for the flat foot is pain due to the strained muscles and ligaments on the feet. Flat feet usually causes pain in the following body parts:
- Hip
- Arch of the foot
- Calf & knee
- Lower back & legs
After examining the foot from the front and back, the podiatrist may either recommend particular exercises or suggest the use of foot orthotics to relieve flat feet symptoms and prevent further deterioration.
2. Bunion: If there is a bony bump at the end of your big toe, it is called a bunion. The bump in the joint is caused when the big toe thrusts against the second toe. Bunions are particularly formed when there is pressure on the joint for a prolonged period of time. Wearing uncomfortable shoes like ballet points or high heels is one of the most common causes of bunions. Other factors include deformities, injuries or inflammatory joint disease, among others. Podiatrists at Peel Podiatry Clinic in Mandurah recommend wearing properly fitting footwear that has enough space between the big toe joint and the shoe’s interior portion. You can also use shoe inserts and padding inside the shoes to provide maximum comfort. If the condition worsens, you should avail immediate medical help.
3. Diabetic foot: Diabetes, a disease where the production of insulin is insufficient, is also known for damaging various areas of the body, including feet. Diabetic foot problems are of two kinds – diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. The symptoms of the diabetic foot include:
- Numbness
- Tingling sensation
- Blisters without pain
- Painful tingling
If there is any wound on the feet, people with diabetes should treat it carefully as diabetic people are at a greater risk of developing into infection and may even require surgery in severe cases. You can also visit a reputable podiatry clinic and avail diabetes foot care and assessment to relieve the painful conditions.
4. Athlete’s foot: Athlete’s foot occurs in between the toes due to fungal infection and yes, it can happen to anyone and not just athletes! Athlete’s foot is mainly caused due to tight fitting shoes that make the feet sweaty, leading to the development of the fungus. Symptoms include a scaly rash that causes burning, itching and stinging. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can easily spread to other people by sharing clothing or towels. If you have rashes on your foot along with redness, swelling, itching and burning, you must see a podiatrist who will prescribe medicines and other forms of treatment depending on the condition.
5. Corn: Foot corn is yet another common condition experienced by almost everyone. Corns are thick layers of rough skin that develop usually on the sole of the foot due to excessive pressure and friction. The center portion is hardened and surrounded by inflamed skin. Wearing ill-fitting shoes and not wearing socks with covered shoes or sandals result in friction on the feet, leading to the development of a corn. If you have corn, you may experience pain when standing for a long time or while wearing shoes.
6. Ingrown nail: When the edges or corner of the toenail grow into the skin next to the nail, it is called ingrown toenail. The leading causes behind ingrown toenail are:
- Incorrectly cutting toenails
- Wearing too tight, flat or narrow shoes that exert excessive pressure on the toes.
- Poor posture & foot hygiene
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include skin near the nail becoming hard, swollen or tender, pain when putting pressure on the toe or fluid accumulating around the toe. You must visit a podiatrist if you have signs of infection like bleeding, pain, overgrowth of skin around the toe and oozing pus.
Conclusion: Foot problems are of various kinds and the ones discussed above are best addressed by podiatrists. Remember! Earlier detection of the problem can lead to a speedy recovery and prevent it from developing into a severe condition. At Peel Podiatry Clinic, we offer a wide array of podiatry services to treat various foot conditions. Besides, our team comprises highly-qualified podiatrists in Mandurah who are well-versed with the latest podiatry practices and deliver the best-in-line treatment. To know more, get in touch with us today on 08 9586 3046.
Also Read: How do Podiatry Services Treat Foot Problems in Kids?